as in generosity
feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness
charitable acts motivated purely by altruism In one final act of altruism, she donated almost all of her money to the hospital.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of altruism
Yet Salk’s greatest act of altruism may have been his decision not to patent the vaccine.
—
Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
Compared with the general population, participants with hoarding disorder scored almost universally high on altruism.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
To survive, vampire bats practice reciprocal altruism, sharing regurgitated blood with starving roost-mates—a rare and complex social behavior in the animal kingdom.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
Compared with the general population, participants with hoarding disorder scored almost universally high on altruism.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
To survive, vampire bats practice reciprocal altruism, sharing regurgitated blood with starving roost-mates—a rare and complex social behavior in the animal kingdom.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
-
Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage and loyalty is an incredible gift to me.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
-
What Thornton is striving toward, an embrace of generosity, of humanity being able to change what faith and religion even mean, is often moving.—
Ella Kemp,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
All donations will be sent to local food banks and charities in Lake County.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2025
-
Aaron Tributes Among new beneficiaries to be announced in the coming weeks are several non-profits that will receive revenue from a charity 4.4-mile run, co-sponsored by the Atlanta Track Club, honoring the late Braves icon Hank Aaron.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
In addition to her passion for making tasteful and affordable accessories, Scott has a heart for philanthropy.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
27 May 2025
-
The key revenue sources are driven by ticket sales, television, sponsorship and philanthropy.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share